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San Diego Area
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OK. I'll throw in a little perspective here. We head out to the east of here a lot in the summer time and cross the Imperial Valley through El Centro and on to Yuma. I remember 119 a couple years ago. That's not unusual heading over across there in the summer time. Anybody heading the opposite direction towards San Diego that day had to climb up from below sea level on Interstate 8 for over 9 miles on a 6 percent grade to get up out of the desert.
Last year returning from our long summer trip we were coming down through Lake Havasu and Parker at 117 degrees. I pulled over at one point and got out my digital thermometer and stood outside for a minute or two. Sure enough it verified my dash gauge. It really was 117 degrees. That's not unusual for the Havasu area.
Climbing up out of DV and Panamint Valley heading over to 395 will be long and with steep grades. Those are not 6 percent interstate highway grades.They are 8 and 9 percent in places. There is a big difference between a 6 percent grade and 8 or 9 percent grades. And the longer you climb or descend the more time there is for heat buildup to start cooking your engine, tranny, and running gear. Pausing to cool off might be advisable depending on the day.
From LV down into DV is at least two hours running at car speeds. Lumbering along with an RV probably longer. It would likely be best to be on the road rolling at 6 am all gassed up, etc (If not at 5 am.) It's those grades on the far side of the valley that will stress you rig. Not running in the flat.
The road through DV is traveled, patrolled, etc. I'd not plan for this like an expedition across trackless wilderness, though.
And maybe there will be a cool spell that day !
And try not to think of that refrain, "Good bye God. We're going to Death Valley."
95 Winnebago Vectra 34 (P30/454)
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Doug and Cassi Glass
Clifton Forge, VA
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I worked Death Valley for two years with CHP. the temps will most likely NOT drop below 100 at any time of the night.
The roads are patrolled but not frequently. There is gas at Stovepipe Wells and used to be at Panamint Springs. That's it between Furnace Creek and Lone Pine, a distance of 106 miles.
If you have any doubts about your equipment I most STRONGLY advise going I-15 to Barstow then either 395 to Bridgeport and 120 into Yosemite or SR58 to Bakersfield north.
The climb out of Stovepipe Wells is brutal in hot weather and the one out of Panamint Valley is much steeper.
When climbing, DO NOT run your air conditioner.
It's quite a climb from Lee Vining to Yosemite also.
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Lauren
Sahuarita, AZ (or on the road!)
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Just a short "P S" to my earlier post. This is our 15th year RVing the 11 western states and 2 western provinces so have a little experience. Have been to
Death Valley twice - once a day trip out of Pahrump and once a day trip out of Lone Pine. NOT in the summer. I would not do the trip with the rig even in cool weather due to the hills in and out - either way. In the summer it would border on insane IMHO. And we have good equipment (truck / 5er). Please tell us you changed your mind!
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Heylea
Billings, MT
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westernrvparkowner wrote:Be sure to take a heavy coat. If you get stranded, it is just the ticket to keep the buzzards off your carcass.
Ha! Couldn't agree more. We actually have family who are working there thru this summer and they love it - go figure! 
Heylea
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Bucky44
Henderson,NV.
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Joined: 10/29/2003
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I live next town to Vegas,I would not do that drive!Lots of stories of breakdowns in Death Valley during summer months.If you go,take lots of water just in case because help will take a while to get to you.
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WyoTraveler
Northwest, Wyoming
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skipsor wrote:One word, NO.
Good advise from someone that lives in CA. Don't do it.
If you are coming from the east you'll have enough problems pulling the Needles grade with the half ton truck. Death Valley will be worse. I lived in So CA for 40 years before I moved and I wouldn't do it. We used to make yearly camping trips to Death Valley on Thanksgiving weekend. 70 during the day and beautiful. Not the dessert in the summer.
I can't believe you were even thinking about this.
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johnwalkerpa1
Pennsylvania
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RV2Gether wrote:I am new to RVing but not new to hauling trailers. My question is, I will be in Las Vegas the first week in August and want to head west through Death Valley on my way to Yosemite. I have a 24" travel trailer and the pull vehicle is a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500. Should I have any concern with this combination during such a hot time of year? I plan on starting my day about 6 AM to beat the heat in the valley.
Any and all comments are welcome and encouraged, last thing I want is to be stuck in the Valley of Death...
Oh yes, the truck is in very good mechanical condition.
I've done it in July and survived...no breakdowns or health issues. But, it was not much fun. There was not much motivation to get outside and actually see anything up close. The best part was the air conditioned vistor center 
It is a great place though, and I hope to visit some time again in the winter when I can actually enjoy getting out and doing some walking....
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fireman93514
Fallon NV
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I have worked in DEath Valley for CAltrans in the summer. I have seen 120 at 9 in the morning. The two passes out of the valley are killers and I coul not even tell you how many broken RV's I have seen. I would go around the valley. Hwy six will cross 120 in benton, a better way to go.
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smkettner
Southern California
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I don't think it is quite the doomsday trip everyone is expressing.
Carry water, gear down, go slow and enjoy the landscape.
Conditions will test your vehicle and I believe the vast majority get through just fine.
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WyoTraveler
Northwest, Wyoming
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You'll will have to make your own decision on Death Valley. I was just pulling the Needles grade the summer in a Ford Mustang a few years ago not towing anything and blew a radiator hose because of the heat. Been there done that. That hwy is a busy hwy and I got a ride back to town. Spent all day at the garage and all they did was a patch up repair. Since I didn't want to wait a couple of days for a part I had to get it repaired later.
Don't risk ruining a fun vacation going to Death Valley.
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